Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Good Dog!

This came, of course, hot on the heels of Saturday's shoot at Yellow Dog Knitting in beautiful downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It's a pretty shop; I took a few snaps during the interlude of calm before the doors opened.

It was evident within minutes that this was going to be an unusual day.

Here is Jaci, Knitter 0414, the first person in the chair. Note the headgear.

No, Jaci does not habitually parade through town wearing a tiara. Turns out this one is shared among the august sisterhood known as the Yellow Dog Divas, who have achieved such status through a process shrouded in myth and mystery. All I can tell you is they seem to be a very, very happy group of women.

Even the non-divas at Yellow Dog are a jolly lot. Dixie, the owner, has a knack for turning customers into family. She issued a call and in they flocked, ready to knit.

Ironically, nobody said "Cheese."

These three came all the way from that other snowy state next door.

On the right is Nic, wearing the sheep yoke sweater she finished in the car so she could wear it for her portrait. But...hold on...is one of the sheep listing slightly to one side? And do I smell...vodka? And cigarettes?

Ah. That explains it. (Thanks for the photo, Liz!)

We had a steady stream of sitters from start to finish, but I nosed around the racks before I left. You know, just to be polite.

and is also one of the fortunate few sources in America for Garnstudios yarns. I fell in love with this tweed.

I also got a crush on Dixie.

(I was powerless to fight it. She taught me Magic Loop and how to carry two colors in one hand, weaving the floats on every stitch, all in the course of one hour. Evil seductress!)

Sunday, as a bonus, I got to visit with the local spinning guild before it was time to head to the airport. My wheel has been neglected for far too long; here was inspiration to dust it off and get it moving.

And then it was time to head to the airport. I sat at the gate working on the Primavera socks and thinking about how funny my life is these days. When you let an idea loose in the world, you never know where it's going to take you. If you're lucky, you might even wind up in Eau Claire for a little while.

I know our LYS called you but you're booked until next year.:-( I HOPE & pray you have Seed Stitch Fine Yarn on your next year's list. Boston (Purl Man) & Salem (that's me) are anxiously waiting for you to call all New Englanders to conjugate & contribute our knitterly stitches to your scarf of ultimate proportions. I'll even say "cheese"!

And it's nice you got to do more than photography (enjoyable as it must be) on this trip. Great you were there long enough for some visiting, spinning and picking up new techniques. Hurray for Dixie and the Yellow Dog!

Did you happen to notice that the Yarn harlot is coming to Barnes and Noble in Carmel, IN? That is very close to Stitches and Scones in Westfield. Just a couple miles apart. You should 1) come visit your folks 2) Have a 1000 Knitters shoot at S and S, and 3) See the Yarn Harlot. As a bonus, maybe she'll sit and knit for you. I don't know her so I cannot promise, it's just a thought I should not have said out loud perhaps.

Liz and I are in the same knitting group and it was so fun to see her on your blog. Hopefully I'll make it to the Yarnery when you visit St. Paul. And Liz is right, Minnesota is also in the Land of Nice! :)

Franklin, did you ask, by any chance, whether the hand-turned needles could be had or shipped to anywhere other than Eau Claire, for those of us not fortunate enough to chance meeting a friendly mugger?

I am very glad that you enjoyed the addition of Dolores to my sweater. I wish I had thought to add Harry. Alas. It was a delight to meet you. The Terrible Trio had a great time and are glad we made the trip.

We were happy to help you with your project. Too bad I always think pictures of me look like shite.

Hee hee -- you put my picture right next to Dale-Harriet, with whom I went out to lunch after the photo sitting. It was delightful to meet (and hug!) you. I just wish I had known that Dolores was lurking in that beautiful sheepy sweater that I saw.

I am knitting a Faroese shawl (one of Stahman's designs) out of that very Garnstudio angora tweed; I really look forward to finishing and blocking it.This is my first post to your blog, but I've enjoyed reading it for quite a while now. Thanks!

Finally a chance to add my deux sous - how terrif, a "my-sized" man! I really enjoyed our hugs (!) I may never wash that apron again! And I'm tickled to be sittin' next to my friend Kathy in that row too...you ARE a treat, Franklin. I do hope you gave Dolores my greetings (I'm sure she enjoyed our local brews and some deep-fried cheese curds!) and my skein of mohair (his name is Dov) sends greetings to Harry too. I think he has a stalk-y sort of crush but that's not for me to say. Pleasure to be part of your project, Franklin - pleasure and honor.

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